How to make icons on Xiaomi less: all ways

Many Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone users are faced with a situation where the standard size of interface elements seems excessive, especially on devices with a screen diagonal of 6.5 inches and above. Visual noise interferes with the perception of information, and the desktop turns into a set of bulky squares, which loses access to important widgets. The problem is relevant not only for owners of budget models, but also for flagships, where the density of pixels allows you to display content much more compact without loss of readability.

Fortunately, the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS provide flexible tools to customize the look. You don't have to be a programmer or get root rights to scale up items. There are several proven methods, from standard system settings to the use of hidden engineering menus and third-party launchers. In this article, we'll take each method, assess their risks and effectiveness, so you can choose the best option for your gadget.

Before you make any changes, you need to understand that reducing icons is not just an aesthetic choice; it's a matter of ergonomics and productivity. Smaller elements allow you to put more apps on one screen, reducing the number of swipes you need to find the right program. However, excessive reduction can make the interface unreadable for people with low vision, so it's important to find a balance between compactness and usability.

Standard settings of font size and screen

The safest and most affordable method that doesn’t require additional software is to use built-in zoom features. The Android settings that Xiaomi runs on top of have a logical relationship between text size and the size of graphical elements in the interface. By changing one setting, you often influence the other, allowing you to achieve the desired result without risking damage to system files.

You need to go to the settings menu of your device, and the path may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the overall logic remains the same. You need to find the partition that's responsible for the display. This is where the basic visual controls are hidden. Note that some items may be named differently depending on the localization of the system.

• 📱 Open Settings and find the Screen Item.
• 🔍 Select Text and Display Size or Font Size.
• ⬇️ Move the slider down to a comfortable value.
• ✅ Click Apply or go back for automatic saving.

It's worth noting that this method affects the entire interface globally, and by shrinking the font, you automatically make fewer menu icons, app titles, and controls. It's the most harmonious way, because the proportions are kept and nothing floats. However, if your goal is to change only the size of the app icons, leaving the text large, this may not seem flexible enough.

⚠️ Attention: With a large reduction in text scale, some applications may start to display information incorrectly, cropping lines or overlaying text on top of each other. Be prepared to return the settings if the interface becomes unreadable.

Using the design theme to change scale

A unique feature of the Xiaomi ecosystem is the powerful MIUI Themes store. Unlike standard launchers on pure Android, designers create full-fledged skins that replace system icons, widgets and even system fonts. Many themes contain icons of reduced size or with thinner contours, which visually makes it easier to perceive the desktop.

You don't have to be a designer to do this. Thousands of authors have already created solutions. You just go to the Themes app, which is pre-installed on every smartphone in the brand. You can search for keywords like "Mini," "Small icons" or "Compact." The the theme will only affect the visual part without affecting the system fonts in the settings menu, which is a huge plus for those who care about the size of the app icons.

The process of installing a theme is simple and takes no more than a minute, but be careful when choosing: some “heavy” themes may consume more RAM or contain advertising. It is recommended to download themes with high ratings and more installations, as they are usually better optimized by developers.

It's important to understand the difference between a theme and system zoom. The theme only changes the images (icons), but it doesn't change the desktop grid or the indentations between the elements. If your goal is to fit 10 icons in a row instead of 4, the the theme won't help, and you'll have to use the other methods described below.

Setting up the desktop grid

One of the most effective ways to visually reduce icons is to increase the number of icons on the screen. The logic is simple: if you put more objects in one area, each one automatically becomes smaller. The MIUI shell allows you to flexibly customize your desktop grid, and that's a sin not to take advantage of.

To change the number of cells, you need to go into desktop editing mode, usually by a long tap over an empty space on the screen or by pinching two fingers (finger mixing), and in the bottom menu that appears, you need to select Settings (cogs), and here you will see the option Grid or Grid Size.

If you choose a denser grid, you'll notice that the icons are compressed, freeing up space, a standardized method that requires no further manipulation and is completely secure, perfect for users who want to just add more apps to the first screen without going into the technical settings of the system.

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If you’ve chosen the maximum grid, but the icons still seem big, try disabling the signatures under the app names in the same grid settings.

Developer mode and minimum width

For advanced users who want full control of interface density (DPI), there is a hidden developer menu, the most powerful tool to make interface elements arbitrarily small, but it requires caution, as improper settings can make the interface unreadable.

To activate this mode, you need to quickly click seven times on the build number in the About Phone section. Once the "You've become a developer" notification appears, a new option will appear in the settings menu - Additional (inside the About Phone section or in the basic settings), you need to find Advanced Settings and then for developers.

Inside the developer menu, scroll down to the "Drawing" section, and we're interested in Minimum Width (or Smallest Width), which is usually 360-392 dp (depending on the model), and reducing that number increases all elements, and zooming in on it decreases.

• 📝 Write down the current value so you can go back.
• 🔢 Smoothly increase the value (for example, by 20-30 one-off).
• 👀 Evaluate the results after each change.
• 🚫 Do not set extreme values (above) 600-700), Otherwise, the system may become unusable.

⚠️ Warning: Changing Minimum Width affects all apps at once. Some programs can go, buttons can become too small to press with your finger, and text can become microscopic. Be prepared to reset settings via Recovery if the phone becomes unmanageable.

This method is especially useful on Xiaomi Pad tablets or very high-resolution smartphones, where the standard 360-400 dpi is clearly not enough for comfortable multitasking. You can turn the phone’s interface into a desktop-like one by putting a huge amount of information on one screen.

Use of third-party launchers

If MIUI’s built-in tools don’t seem flexible enough, you can always turn to third-party solutions. Google Play Store offers dozens of launchers that completely replace the desktop, with Nova Launcher, Lawnchair and Microsoft Launcher leading the way.

The main advantage of third-party launchers is that you can set each icon in detail, you can set a specific percentage size, change the indentations between the grids, adjust the height of the dock panel, and more. For example, Nova Launcher has a separate icon size slider that works independently of the typeface system settings.

Installing an alternative launcher does not require complex manipulations. Just download the application, open it and agree to use it as the default main screen. However, it is worth remembering that third-party launchers can consume more battery and RAM than the standard Xiaomi shell.

Also, some MIUI features, such as gestures or widgets, may function differently or require additional permission adjustments, but if your main goal is to have a unique look and complete control over the size of the elements, this is the best choice.

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Third-party launchers offer maximum customization freedom, but may conflict with the deep integration of Xiaomi services (e.g., security widgets or a scanner).

Possible problems and solutions

In the process of experimenting with the size of icons, users sometimes face unforeseen difficulties. The interface can become so small that it becomes impossible to hit the right button with a finger, or some elements simply disappear from the screen.

If you've gone too far in the DPI settings and the screen is unreadable, don't panic. The easiest way to get it back to where it was is to use Google's voice assistant. Say "Ok Google, reset the developer settings" or "Ok Google, open the settings," which can help get on the menu even if you don't see the icons.

In a pinch, if the phone stopped responding to touches due to incorrect zoom settings, a factory reset will help.This is a radical measure that will delete all data, so always back up before major changes in system settings.

• 🔄 Try to connect. USB-Mouse to phone (via phone) OTG), to get into settings and correct the scale.
• 📵 Use Safe Startup Mode to Disable Problem Launcher.
• 🔙 Reset settings via the Recovery menu (power button) + volume).

Remember that the balance between aesthetics and functionality is individual. What is convenient for one user may not be acceptable for another. Experiment carefully, capture changes, and enjoy the personalized interface of your Xiaomi.